Update: Always think business. We are all passionate about the web, but don’t let your passion cloud your business acumen.

For those of you who I have sent the proposal, and any newcomers who might want a copy i have some additions that i think you should make. Here is what i suggest:

In the proposal, instead of “milestones” put in “activities” such as :

1. Project management
2. Design Concepts
3. Approvals
4. Revisions
5. Development Phase
6. Approval
7. Revisions
8. Acceptance
9. Testing/Deployment

For each of those sections instead of days throw in some figures to show where your clients money is going….

Then if they think its too pricey you say:

“For me to get the job done well I will have to follow the systematic approach outlined in my proposal”

If they still argue about price then say:

“Now you tell me where to cut corners!”

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Throughout my time as a web developer/UI designer I have been through many iterations of proposals for clients. I am a detailed individual when it comes to work, but i love adding that little extra detail and clarity for my prospective clients.
I think you should as well and heres why:

1. Documentation makes clients feel comfortable working with you. Did I say documentation? What i meant was detailed documentation.
2. Shows that you can talk about your subject (well versed)
3. Average proposals are likely to get rejected in front of detailed proposals. This depends on the client however.
4. Gives you a professional look to the services you provide.
5. Develop and design the proposal once (and make it kick-ass), then you can use that as a template for your other proposals.

Its amazing that i have seen the shittiest proposals going to some of the better companies out there (at least here in Pakistan, i doubt that would happen in the States).

In any case you may download the proposal and case study to use in your own documentation.

=> Download Case Study (.docx)
=> Download Website Proposal (.doc)

If you would like a proposal for an application type of site you may come back in a couple of days and I should have posted that up by then. Enjoy..